Two days after Emperor Reinhardt and H.R.H. Maruca evolved into the Ancient Class in the Krater Labyrinth, another meeting was convened via Float.
The King Gumnos (Beast King), Grand Duke Liar, Representative Urs, Representative Katarina, and the Grand Masters who attended the previous meeting continued their participation. This time, however, Emperor Folias of Valentia, King’s Brother Harut, Grand Duke Regent Grace of Alegria, and five representatives from the bridge city of Libertà were also present.
I hadn’t known that the Grand Duke Regent of Alegria was a queen. With over twenty years on the throne, she carried a regal air. Despite being forty-three years old, she appeared remarkably young due to her High-Ulfy heritage.
With the presence of important figures from nations other than Solemne and Retisencia, the meeting was officially declared an International Conference.
Under the proposed federal nation, participating countries would be obligated to send representatives annually.
“I’ve read the letter, and it seems the situation is more dire than I initially imagined.”
“Nevertheless, it is a desirable outcome. My own Alegria has also been subjected to harassment from Solemne. While military conflict was avoided thanks to the presence of Lord Gathering, the future remained uncertain. Now that Solemne has fallen, I too support the proposal to establish a federal nation centered around Amister and unite the Philia Continent,” the Grand Duke Regent stated.
Emperor Folias and Emperor Grace also seemed to be considering participation in the federal nation positively.
Although I had sent a letter detailing the previous meeting’s proceedings, I had expected at least one of their nations might be hesitant, so their affirmative attitude was somewhat surprising.
“While Balentia and Libertà will be governed by a division of royal ranks, dukedoms, and bridge city representatives, I believe Torencia, Valentia, and Alegria are fine as they are. I’ve heard Valentia, in particular, is finally seeing stability, so it would be unwise to try and subdivide it or encourage independence.”
“Indeed. Rather, by joining a federation, we can diminish the power of dissenting nobles. There may be initial confusion, but it won’t last long.”
Valentia, which had been on the verge of splitting into East and West, had its internal turmoil exposed when Narlstadt, tied to us, was discovered plotting a rebellion. In its wake, the Duke House of Nizheeg, my own family, was stripped of its title, and its members were executed.
Consequently, the nobles in eastern Valentia who had supported Narlstadt had their power and influence severely curtailed. Some noble houses were not merely demoted but completely abolished.
Though nobles had wielded considerable power in Valentia, the Dragon King’s family was steadily expanding its influence eastward. By bestowing peerages and territories upon second sons and beyond of noble families, their power had also been strengthened. As a result, the number of nobles flaunting their authority had been halved, and with tax reductions, citizens were experiencing a more comfortable life.
The thinking seemed to be that if they joined a federal nation with Amister as the suzerain state, such nobles would be eradicated, leading to further development in Valentia.
Of course, in reality, a reformation of noble consciousness would be necessary, which would likely take decades.
“Alegria has few nobles, so I don’t anticipate major issues. Rather, I was concerned about what would happen after Lord Gathering’s passing, so this proposal is a godsend.”
For Alegria, that was the more pressing concern.
The Grand Hunter’s Master was over two hundred years old, and it wasn’t unreasonable to expect their demise at any moment.
The lifespan of an Ancient Class was said to be around 250 years, but historically, very few people—perhaps only a dozen or so—had evolved to that level. It wasn’t an absolute guarantee.
As with Jeanne Kirschlicht of the O-Rank Order, there was always the possibility of dying in battle.
“Both Valentia and Alegria seem eager.”
“The laws will be based on Amister’s, but this arrangement is more convenient. Especially if guild registration becomes mandatory for royalty and nobility, it will certainly promote a change in mindset.”
“Valentia is similar. Furthermore, it would be best for my brother to mention this.”
“Then please excuse me. I believe you are all aware of how that foolish Dragon King monopolized the technology of guest Souya Tomari. It was a shameful and painful event for our nation, which is precisely why we, the Dragon King Family, have made an effort to prioritize exporting Souya Tomari’s magical tools to other countries.”
Indeed, I had heard such stories in Valentia.
Souya Tomari was the husband of the Holy Mother Dragon Gaia and the father of Athena.
He had apparently transferred to Helios Orb about ninety years ago; that location was near Mount Wilnes in Valentia.
While meeting Gaia was apparently a coincidence, after many twists and turns, Souya had come to reside in the Dragonian castle, Crystal Palace, located on Mount Wilnes. He worked as a Crafter, married Gaia, and they had children together – the three Hydragonians who now defended Mount Wilnes.
He eventually rose to the rank of A-Rank Crafter, but the new technologies he developed caught the attention of the Dragon King and nobles ruling Valentia at the time. They bought up many of the manufacturing methods from the Crafter’s Guild and monopolized them.
What’s more, they had apparently even targeted Souya himself.
Naturally, the Dragonians would not permit such treachery, but the foolish Dragon King and imbecilic nobles had even considered enslaving the Dragonians and were on the verge of implementing their plan, which was truly troublesome.
The then-Crown Prince had forced the foolish Dragon King to abdicate, and the foolish nobles were punished, thus averting the crisis. However, the magically powered tools that had been monopolized could not be returned to the Crafter’s Guild with their original designs, causing their international credibility to plummet, and they were on the verge of isolation.
“However, if Valentia joins a federation led by Amister, the monopoly on the manufacturing methods will become meaningless.”
I see. If they become one nation, then indeed, there would be no benefit in monopolizing the manufacturing methods.
While not entirely so, Souya had entrusted the development of alternative magical tools to future generations in his will. The Crafter’s Guild had also declared unconditional advancement in Crafter’s Rank upon successful development.
“I understand. So, the various magical tools currently monopolized by Valentia will once again become available to all citizens through the Crafter’s Guild?”
“Yes. While Souya-dono’s magical tools are undoubtedly excellent, their performance hasn’t changed much from that era due to Valentia’s monopolization. In fact, I’ve heard they are inferior in performance to Souya-dono’s original creations. If the manufacturing methods are revealed, they will likely be improved in the near future. This will only benefit the citizens, not harm them.”
For the Dragon King Family, making Souya’s magical tool manufacturing methods public had been a long-cherished wish.
Of course, they likely wouldn’t have decided to participate solely for this reason, but it was undoubtedly one of the contributing factors.
“Libertà, I understand, is to become an independent small nation with its bridge cities as the capital. However, there are cities that must be abandoned, and some representatives have expressed their desire to resign. The question is, what will become of those lands?”
After opinions on Valentia and Alegria had been thoroughly discussed, Representative Aislicht Granreve of Granreve, a bridge city at the foot of the Temellario Great Sky Wall and closest to the Temellario Labyrinth, spoke up.
Of the twenty bridge cities, seven had been destroyed to the point of irrecoverable ruin, and in two of those cities, their representatives had lost their lives.
Furthermore, in Formalhaut, Representative Gustav had betrayed Libertà for his own gain, leading to the decision to abandon the city.
This reduced the number of cities to be rebuilt to ten. However, two representatives of these cities had announced their retirement upon hearing the proposal for a federal nation.
While age was a factor, they also felt responsible for their inability to protect Libertà.
“There’s no point in keeping them as detached territories, so merging them with neighboring city-states would be the most sensible approach.”
“Is that the only option? This means Libertà will split into eight city-states.”
As Emperor Reinhardt suggested, there was no discernible reason or benefit in managing detached territories, making that the most sensible, perhaps even the only, option.
Some cities would not gain territory due to their location, but the representatives seemed unconcerned. While tax revenue would be generated, they didn’t consider it worth the burden of governance.
“Eight? Then, eight countries in the Libertà region and five countries in the Balentia region, meaning thirteen new monarchs will be born.”
“Indeed. While each country will be allowed to manage its own affairs, may we use a parliamentary system like Libertà’s?”
“We intend to interfere as little as possible in matters of governance.”
However, complete non-interference was problematic, so it was decided that ambassadors would be dispatched from Amister to continuously monitor, or rather, audit, their affairs. It was also mentioned that the title would be slightly different, as the ambassadors would not be handling diplomatic relations.
While that was important, there was something even more significant.
“By the way, Emperor Reinhardt seems to have evolved into an Ancient Elf. Will you be the First Celestial Emperor?”
“That is correct. In fact, I was partially evolved for that very purpose. I can’t possibly refuse now.”
“Indeed. Moreover, if anyone other than Emperor Reinhardt were to ascend to the position of Celestial Emperor, we wouldn’t be able to accept it.”
As Grand Duke Liar said. That’s why I went to the Krater Labyrinth the day before yesterday and worked hard to allow Emperor Reinhardt to evolve into an Ancient Elf.
However, it took longer than expected, as Emperor Reinhardt couldn’t evolve until he reached level sixty-six.
Incidentally, H.R.H. Elis also reached level fifty-nine, Sayuri (Female) reached level sixty, and H.R.H. Maruca, who is pregnant, even evolved into an Ancient Rabitry at level sixty-two.
Ciel (Female) is level twenty-eight and Seras (Female) is level thirty-two, but to avoid the risks of acute magical fluctuation syndrome, their progress has been slowed.
Their levels haven’t risen that high, so it should be fine.
“Naturally. So, have any new country names been decided upon?”
“Nothing has been officially decided, but there are a few candidates.”
New country names are, of course, necessary. We were also told to come up with suggestions, so I submitted mine.
Incidentally, the country name I came up with was Amister-Philias Federation Celestial Empire. Mako (Female) told me it meant “Celestial Empire of the Federation of Amister and the Philia Continent Nations,” but I hadn’t intended to come up with such a long name, and I wondered if such a country name even existed. She told me it actually existed on Earth.
I had no idea.
“Hmm, selecting one will be difficult.”
“However, I feel this country name reflects the future of the Philia Continent.”
“I agree.”
“Indeed. While the other names are not bad, this country name has superior meaning.”
To my surprise, Grand Duke Liar, Emperor Folias, Grand Duke Regent Grace, and King Gumnos all chose the country name I had suggested.
“Hmm, then shall we decide on this one?”
“No objections.”
“Same here.”
“I concur.”
“I also agree.”
Nooo! Seriously, is that really it?
I mean, the other country names were easy to understand and good too!
“Then, I will change the country name starting from my coronation ceremony. At the same time, I intend to declare the establishment of the Federation Heavenly Empire. Is that acceptable?”
“Of course.”
“Should we not also be in attendance?”
“That’s right.”
There are still matters to resolve, but it has been decided that the declaration will be made at Emperor Reinhardt’s coronation ceremony, scheduled for April.
Originally, I was supposed to be formally crowned King of Amister at that coronation ceremony. However, it will now be my enthronement and coronation as Celestial Emperor, ruler of the Philia Continent.
By then, Balentia and Libertà must decide their borders and determine their monarchs. Torencia, Valentia, and Alegria also need to publicly announce whether they will officially participate. It’s a matter of how much can be accomplished in just over a month.
No, even if it can’t be done, it has to be done.
We’ll do our best to assist in any way we can.
